Senior church leaders across Ireland have written a joint letter offering support and gratitude to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), as communities dealt with a rise in violence, intimidation, and racially-motivated attacks in Ballymena this month.
In the letter, addressed to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma, the Church Leaders Group (Ireland) expressed their “encouragement and support,” thanking officers for their “courage in the face of adversity” and for providing care and protection to those targeted in recent incidents.
The church leaders said: “The last number of weeks have seen shocking examples of violence and intimidation on our streets and racially motivated attacks in various places across Northern Ireland, initiated by individuals who decided to take the law into their own hands.
“The rule of law underpins the very foundations of normal society, and no one is above the law. It is a very fragile entity and without its security, lawlessness can degenerate into anarchy. As Church Leaders, we therefore want to thank the members of PSNI for their courage in the face of adversity, and for the protection and care they afford to all who have been attacked and abused, who have faced intimidation and the threat of violence, particularly in recent days…No one should feel unsafe in their own homes or on the streets of his country.”
They continued, “We all have a responsibility to show love to our neighbours, to welcome the stranger, and to show kindness and compassion to the most vulnerable in society. Many acts of kindness have been witnessed during these last few weeks…[and] we would appeal to all people to work together in mutual respect for the safety and well-being of the whole community.”
The riots began on 9th June following the arrest of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in Ballymena. Their arraignment via a Romanian interpreter triggered racially-charged reactions online.
For several days, masked groups attacked police with petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks, and bottles. They also targeted homes, vehicles, and a leisure centre used to shelter migrant families.
PSNI deployed water cannon and baton rounds. At least 41 officers were injured, and around six arrests were made.
The Church Leaders Group (Ireland) is made up of the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Presidents of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Irish Council of Churches.
